Within the framework of the Helmholtz “Advanced Engineering Materials” program, we develop and characterise nanostructured materials for hydrogen storage. We optimize their properties with the following goals:

The highest possible capacity for compact and light hydrogen stores

The highest possible reaction rate at application-oriented operating temperatures for fast and energy-efficient loading and unloading

Stable loading and unloading behaviour for a long lifespan, suitable for various mobile and stationary applications.

One particular focus lies in light metal hydrides, especially in Reactive Hydride Composites, that are characterized – also in comparison to pressurized and liquid hydrogen storage – by an especially high storage density in relation to weight.

Learn more about hydrogen for energy storage in this movie:

We study possible large-scale technical production of metal and complex hydrides for hydrogen storage as well as develop and optimize hydrogen storage tanks, which contain these materials, and test them under application-oriented conditions.

Our objectives are:

The cost-efficient production of storage materials and storage tanks for economic use of this technology

To demonstrate the technology in selected applications

Application-specific optimization in close collaboration with industry and end users

achieving the highest possible corrosion protection for lightweight engineering materials within the framework of the Helmholtz “Advanced Engineering Materials” Programme

the development of X-ray and neutron mirrors that possess the required high reflectivity for scattering experiments as part of material sciences research, which falls within the Helmholtz Programme “From Materials to Matter and Life” (until the end of 2014 “Research with Photons, Neutrons and Ions”).